Services

Browse:

Worries over Air Quality on Cruise Ships

According to recent scientific investigations, pollution levels are 60 times higher than ‘fresh air’ on cruise ships. The research, commissioned by Thalassa (a French documentary television series), was carried out on abroad a ship leaving Marseille, and is now warning people against the potential health implications.

Pollution levels were tested at various different parts of the ship, including the sun deck, top deck and jogging lane, during a 50 minute period, and the results showed 20 times more ultra-fine particles than in the city centre of port cities such as Barcelona, Hamburg and Venice.

If that wasn’t disturbing enough, an average of 60,000 particles per cubic centimetre were found in the samples collected, over 20 times the 1,000 to 2,000 amount Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU), a German environmental association, would expect to find in a fresh sea breeze.

These results have understandably provoked health warnings from professionals, who have urged anyone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to limit their time on deck. Further warnings have also been issued to anyone already at risk to breathing conditions, heart conditions, strokes, and diabetes.

Some scientists are disputing the research, saying that further and longer tests would need to be completed to really understand cruise pollution and health effects. However, many campaign groups are already demanding action to stop the environmental effects of cruising, which apparently causes one billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.

If you’re concerned about cruising, visit your GP to discuss your condition, the potential implications for your health, and any steps you can take to minimise problems.